Author: Diane Smyth

Three New Associates

Posted on by Diane Smyth
 by Sister Maureen O’Keefe
In a spirit of Easter joy, the Conception Bay Associates and their facilitators – Sisters Ruth Beresford, Madeline Byrne and Josette Hutchings gathered on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at Conception Harbour Renewal Centre to welcome three new members to their group.
Sister Elizabeth Davis, Congregation Leader and Sister Maureen O’Keefe, Associate Coordinator, were pleased to be present for the event. Sister Elizabeth received the commitment of Marina Brazil, Mary Moriarity and Theresa O’Neill and presented them with their Associate pins, certificates and candles. In her usual manner, Sister Elizabeth spoke to the Associates on the mutual enrichment of Mercy Charism that continues to grow through the collaboration of Mercy Sisters and Associates. She noted that in the beginning, Catherine McAuley and her first group of young women were really Associates of Mercy and only later evolved into the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy. In a sense, we have come full circle – a wider, richer circle. Using the intricate pattern of a small round doily from a nearby table, Elizabeth illustrated the web of interconnected relationships that our Mercy Associates bring to enhance the pattern of local and global Mercy all branching out from the core of Mercy Charism, as the doily grows outward from its centre.
 
To add to the beauty and depth of the meaning of Associate Relationship, Associate, Mary Taylor shared with us her reflections on being a Mercy Associate. A copy of her words is found in the main section of this website under the tab – Associates.
                                                                                                 
 

Sale of Work: Just like the Old Days

Posted on by Diane Smyth
Art/Crafts/Baked Goods Sale
Presentation and Mercy Sisters and Associates
article contributed by Sister Madeline Byrne 

This special day began last May when I visited with a few of the Presentation Sisters and Associates to discuss the idea of having a joint Art/Craft/Bake Goods Sale. The idea was well received so the planning began. Throughout the year we met several times and letters were sent to all Sisters and Associates of both congregations. The date for the sale was set for November 27, 2010. We prayed there would not be a snow storm. We were lucky: it was a sunny day and lots of parking space.

On November 27, Mercy Convent Gymnasium was decorated, tables in readiness to receive the items. Shortly after lunch the Sisters and Associates began to arrive with their donations of goods—sweaters, socks, doilies, blankets, aprons, cards, paintings, cakes, cookies and of course, fudge. What would a Mercy Sale be if you didn’t have “Nuns fudge”! There seemed to be so much! None of us imagined it would be all sold in an hour.

 

When the sale officially opened the people just kept coming and buying something special. It was a great day for everyone. Many saw some old friends and students –a celebration of a kind!  The sale was a great success. The proceeds from the event were donated to our charities-The Gathering Place, Peruvian Mission and Presentation Sisters Mission in Dominica. A week later the committee met to review the event and make plans for next year!

The day finally arrived!

The tables were piled high!

We all stood wondering

if enough people would come to buy it all.

Three Associates Make Commitment

Posted on by Diane Smyth

MERCY ASSOCIATE COMMITMENT CEREMONY

February 13, 2011

Article contributed by Sr. Maureen O’Keefe

On Sunday afternoon, February 13, 2011 Mercy Convent Chapel was the setting for a rich experience of how God continues to grace our Mercy Congregation. Pews and Prie-Dieu were filled to capacity with Sisters, Associates and family members, gathered to welcome new Associates into the Mercy Associate Relationship. In a beautiful Prayer/Ritual led by their facilitators, Sisters Margie Taylor and Madeline Byrne, three women – Mickie Pitcher, Marilyn Stack and Geraldine (Gerri) Stapleton made their commitment as Mercy Associates
Sister Elizabeth Davis, Congregation Leader, welcomed the new Associates, received their commitments and presented them with their Associate pins and Certificates. Husbands and other family members were present to participate in the ceremony and share in the joy of their loved ones as they entered upon another significant phase in their spiritual journey.
The sentiments of all Associates present were echoed in the words of Associate, Anna Kelly in her reflection, “What Being a Mercy Associate Means to Me.” Anna spoke of their Associate meetings as “ time for prayer, sharing, showing support and concern for each other, having time to develop new friendships and of course, enjoying a story and a few laughs as they share that ‘comfortable cup of tea’ at the end of the meeting.” She noted that each Associate brings to the group their own gifts and talents that enable them to companion with the Sisters of Mercy to carry on Catherine McAuley’s charism, to bring the Mercy of God to those in need. At the same time, Associates deepen their own Baptismal commitment to live more fully the values of the Gospel.
A spirit of joy and gratitude flowed from the chapel to the Fleming Room where friendship and fun were shared over the rim of that traditional tea cup!
Thousands of thanks and praises
To His Holy Name.

                                                  C. McAuley

Look to the Stars

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Friday, November 12th was a clear, crisp and “stellar” evening in St. John’s!   It was perfectly still and just right for star-gazing. The weatherman on the CBC Evening News told viewers that it was a perfect night to see the stars and dotted his weather map with them. Members of the St. John’s Centre Royal Astronomical Society set up their telescopes and high-powered binoculars to view the moon and stars and other treasures of our expansive universe. Adults and children gathered in the garden of the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice on Mount Scio Road at 6:00 p.m., waiting patiently as the scientists set up their delicate, yet powerful instruments. Craters and mountains on the moon were visible- no one saw the man-in-the moon! Other planets and constellations of stars could easily be seen.  Even the space station came into view. 

 

We appreciate the effort of the Astronomical Society to provide this special opportunity. We thank Sister Mary Tee, Coordinator of the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice,  and her committee for making this possible. We hope to have another opportunity to look to the stars.

 

 

Associate Groups Meet

Posted on by Diane Smyth

A Gathering of Associates and the Religious

Who Journey with Them

St. John’s ,NL     Associates and Religious from the Redemptorist, Presentation and Mercy Congregations gathered at the Lantern on October 15-16, 2010 for their first joint Associate/Religious Conference. Three Associate members representing the Congregations of the Sisters of Charity, the Sisters of St. Martha of Nova Scotia and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Halifax came also from Nova Scotia to participate in the conference.

 

The theme of the conference, “With Burning Hearts: Together for Mission”, set the tone and grew in intensity as the conference unfolded. At the opening session on Friday evening, Archbishop Martin Currie, Sister Sharon Fagan, Sister Elizabeth Davis and Father Stephen Morrisey greeted the gathering with words of inspiration, support and encouragement.

 

The conference presenters, Peg Maddigan and Ann Godfryd, both Associate members of the Congregation of Notre Dame did a magnificent job in facilitating exploration of the three main components in the Associate Relationship: Spirituality, Community and Mission. Through the process of Theological Reflection in the company of revered Scripture personages each phase of the Associate Relationship unfolded. 

Session one dealt with The Spirituality of Associate Relationship, with the sub-title “Like a fire burning in us…” from the Emmaus story. It was in the company of Mary and Cleopas as they journeyed to and from Jerusalem that Associates were led to examine their own stories. Allowing Jesus to reinterpret their stories as He had done for Mary and Cleopas, Associates found new insights and deeper meanings which they shared with one another in their groups.

Session two, Journeying Together: “Let me go with you…” (Ruth 1: 11-19) was the focus for the reflection on community. Answering the call to Associate Relationship can mean a real metamorphosis in one’s life – an experience of loss, change, on-going conversion and transformation. In examining the journey of Ruth and Naomi, Associates were asked to reflect and share on the questions, “Who has been like Ruth in my life, supporting me on my journey?” and “What strengths and vulnerabilities do I bring to my spiritual friendships?” 

 

Session three, Partners in Mission and Ministry : “they took him aside and explained…” (Acts 18:24-28). The story of Apollos, Priscilla and Aquila provided an excellent example of the different gifts that we all bring to mission and ministry and how these gifts complement each other. It is in the humble recognition of one’s gifts and in collaboration with others that the richness of the community is offered in service to the Mission of Jesus.

 

Throughout the conference the prayer, reflection and sharing of one session flowed with ease and growing depth of sharing into the next. The final session provided an opportunity for the Associates and Religious of each congregation to meet together to examine the questions: “What is working for us?” and “What needs to be developed?” These questions led to open and honest sharing resulting in some suggestions and challenges for life and growth.

 

The final step on the conference journey was to the Basilica for Liturgy. Associates were invited to share in the various ministries at Liturgy and as such were able to give further witness to their role as lay ministers. Archbishop Mart 

in Currie spoke in his homily of the Associate Relationship as a valuable lay movement sharing the charisms of their religious congregations for the Mission of Jesus in the Church.

All who participated in this first joint con

ference of NL Associates and Religious came “with burning hearts: together for mission” and left with vessels of rich fuel for feeding the flame. We express deep gratitude to those brave pioneers who set the sparks of Associate Relationship in our congregations and to those many Religious and Associates who have stirred the embers and nurtured the flame throughout the years. 

God is indeed doing a new thing among us. It is flaming forth  and we are open to perceive it.

 

Maureen O’Keefe

Coordinator of Mercy Associates

 

With Burning Hearts: Together For Mission

Reque and the Sisters Mourn Padre Victor

Posted on by Diane Smyth
On September 29, 2010 Feast of the Archangels Michael. Raphael and Gabriel and birthday of Venerable Catherine McAuley, Padre Victor was buried in the garden of his parish church in Reque, Peru.
Three days earlier, after weeks of serious illness and hospitalization, Padre Victor made his final life’s journey surrounded by loving prayer, song and attentiveness, hope and patient waiting of his people. Victor was much loved. He dedicated his life to being the padre to his parishioners and their families. He loved his life, his faith and his church and his God. He lived the joy of the gospel and stood strong in the face of injustice- he was fierce advocate for his people and cared not only for their souls but also for their dignity and rights. Padre Victor was a strong man yet sickness was stronger and defeated him, in body, but not in spirit nor in the legacy that he leaves to those who knew him. Padre Victor will not be forgotten.
Padres Emigido and Lucho have shared so much of life with Victor from their young days.  The three were lovingling known as the three amigos. In speaking of Victor throughout the days before the funeral they stressed over and over his gift of love of life, his “Alegria” which he passed on to all, his total dedication to the people especially the “más pobres”, his untireless service not only to his parish, but nationally, to the whole diocese.  There was lots of great singing led by Reque Parish choir, lots of clapping in the midst of the reflection, etc. 
 
The funeral was an especially blessed moment.  There were crowds in the thousands in the plaza where the funeral took place.  The altar was set in the door of the church facing the plaza.   The Bishop officiated with fifty-two priests attending.  Among the priests were Eugene Roy from Ontario and Jose Alverez Calderon, a great liberation Theologian based in Lima.  There was extensive lay participation in the Mass          

After Mass, the body of Padre Victor was brought in procession around the plaza with a special ceremony in front of the Municipal building.  His body was then taken to the garden in front of the church where Victor is now buried.  There is a small plaque marking his burial place, but a bigger monument is being planned for.  Words used to describe Victor were “the saint of Reque,” “our joyful, happy saint in heaven,” and “the alma (spirit) of catechesis familiar.”

Victor was known and loved by many Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland and by some of the priests who worked with him in Peru.  He is sorely missed.

Tu nos has muerto; viveras en nuestros corozones y te recordaremos

Hurricaine Igor Strikes

Posted on by Diane Smyth
People in Newfoundland and Labrador are familiar with hurricanes.   They move up the eastern seaboard of the USA to this most easterly point of Canada, arriving every Fall to draw their last breaths and pass out eventually somewhere in the north Atlantic. They all have an unusual howl, spill millimeter upon millimeter of water, and at times do moderate damage to property. 
 
Not so with Hurricane Igor! Igor was in a category not known or experienced before by anyone here in this province. It announced itself in early morning, September 21, in the southern area of the province.   By midday it had unleashed its fury. With wind gusts of up to 140 km/h and upwards of 200 millimeters of rain, infrastructure and systems were overwhelmed and destroyed, unable to handle the volume of water. Hundreds of homes were flooded leading to great loss of property, other homes were shifted from their foundations, while others were completely destroyed. Power lines were felled, leading to loss of electricity so that a sense of complete helplessness settled over the affected areas. By evening the most frightening reality was evident – that hundreds of small rural communities were completely isolated as bridges were taken off their foundations, and large portions of highways were washed out for hundreds of kilometers. One elderly man who went out his driveway to check a neighbour’s property was swept off his feet by rushing water and washed out to sea. People needing dialysis were taken aboard helicopters to distant hospitals.
 

 

Eventually, coping with Igor became a story of the triumph of the human spirit. To the extent that Igor destroyed, to that same extent did the care and compassion of people for each other increase and prove stronger than the power of any hurricane.   People risked their own lives to quickly rescue others from their homes as rising water levels threatened not only property but life itself, to share the contents of their cupboards, to do almost the impossible to obtain medical care for the sick and elderly. Government, church groups, power companies, health care facilities, everyone was mobilized to protect and care for the endangered and to stabilize the situation. Armed Forces laid down their weapons to help rebuild bridges and communities.

 
We, as Sisters of Mercy, received no damage of property or person from Igor, except the loss of some trees.   We were involved in a number of situations of damage and chaos, providing emotional and financial support, bringing hot meals to individuals or families, collaborating with other organizations to respond to extreme need. We were indeed pleased to be a Mercy presence to so many suffering people in their time of need.  Igor was devastating but the spirit of so many was not devastated.
 
 

Mercy Health Event

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Approximately ninety Mercy and Presentation Sisters attended a very informative and inspirational event on October 2, 2010. In her welcoming remarks, Sister Elizabeth Davis quoted a definition of health which comes from the Australian aboriginal community, “Health does not just mean the physical well-being of the individual but refers to the social, emotional, spiritual and cultural well-being of the whole community. This is a whole-of-life view and includes the cyclical concept of life-death-life”. 

 
The day consisted of presentations in four areas as follows: ‘Healthy Living – Healthy Aging’;  ‘Together We Care – Dementia’; ‘Depression and Anxiety in the Aging’; ‘Arthritis’.   Each of the presenters provided factual information, offered explanations and descriptions of various health issues, identified treatments, supports, and strategies. A particularly helpful element each one offered was information on how to access related resources. 
 
All indications are that the initiative was a tremendous success and that the Wisdom Circle is already considering its next step as it attempts to move forward with this recommendation, building on the day’s experience. 

Blessing and Official Opening of Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The official blessing of the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice located in the lovely Pippy Park area of St. John’s took place today. 

Sister Elizabeth Davis spoke to the more than fifty people in attendance; she moved throughout the Centre with a prayer of blessing being chanted by a small choir and the quests.  Sister Mary Tee is the coordinator of the Centre and was host of today’s events.  Light refreshments were served.

The building is a bungalow that was renovated to provide office and meeting space for the Centre’s activities.  It is situated on an acre of land that has fruit trees and berry bushes around the perimeter and fertile soil that has seen two crops of vegetables in the past two summers.  The garden is a project of the Centre in collabloration with a group of “new Canadians” and students of St. Bonaventure’s College.  The produce is shared with the food banks and other groups.   Many educational and reflective opportunities are provided through the Centre.

 

Jubilee – 545 Years

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Five hundred and fourty five years of life and ministry as Sisters of Mercy were celebrated in St. John’s, Newfoundland this summer. On July 16, our traditional Reception and Profession Day,  Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated in Corpus Christi Parish Church in the beautiful Waterford Valley to honour the silver and golden jubilee of nine women of Mercy. Sisters, Associates, colleagues, family and friends filled the church for the joyful event. Afterwards all were treated to refreshments in the parish hall.

Two diamond jubilarians living at McAuley Convent were unable to attend the Mass. They were joined by the other nine celebrants for an afternoon tea party a few days before that. Congratulations and thanks for your generosity and commitment for these so many years.